Long retracting blower requiring minimum outboard clearance



Nov. 26, 1963 i w. F. CANTIERI 3, 70

LONG RETRACTING BLOWER REQUIRING MINIMUM OUTBOARD CLEARANCE Filed May 7, 1962 2 sheets sheet l BY w I 027/0134 Nov. 26, 1963 LONG RETRACTING BLOWER REQUIRING MINIMUM OUTBOARD CLEARANCE Filed May 7, 1962 w. F. CANTIERI 3,111,701

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Uit

The present invention broadly relates to cleaning apparatus for removing slag and soot deposits from heat exchanger surfaces, and more particularly to improved fluid heater cleaners of the long retracting type which are adapted for mounting between the wall of a heat exchanger apparatus and the wall of the enclosing building effecting substantial reductions in the space requirements and corresponding reductions in the cost of erecting and installing high capacity power boilers.

Fluid heater cleaners or soot blowers, as they are conventionally referred to, are extensively employed in many types of heat exchanger apparatus for periodically and sequentially discharging a pressurized cleaning medium such as steam or air for example, against the heat exchanger surfaces effecting a removal of soot and slag deposits therefrom thereby maintaining optimum thermal efficiency of the heat exchanger units. Soot blowers of the so-called long retracting type incorporate a lance tube having discharge nozzles in the forward end thereof that is movable to and from a retracted position exteriorly of the heat exchanger apparatus to a projected position within the heat exchanger apparatus and during which traversing movement of the lance tube is rotated and cleaning fluid is discharged from the discharge nozzles thereon. Long retracting type soot blowers are conventionally employed for traversing and cleaning relatively deep sections of heat exchanger apparatus such as pendant type super heater or reheater bundles in modern high capacity power boilers.

Modern high capacity power boilers as well as other types of heat exchanger apparatus are frequently enclosed in a building or other surrounding structure so as to pro tect the heat exchanger apparatus and components thereof as well as the operating personnel from the elements. Since long retracting type soot blowers are conventionally mounted on the exterior wall of the heat exchanger apparatus, sufiicient side or outboard clearance must be provided between the walls of the building and the wall of the heat exchanger apparatus to accommodate the soot blower and its supporting structure. In addition, suitable catwalks and platforms must be provided to obtain access to the components of the soot blowers and attended equipment for periodic service and inspection. Soot blowers of the long retracting type frequently are of a considerable length in order to clean the heat exchanger surfaces in the passages of high capacity boilers necessitating a corresponding outboard clearance between walls of the heat exchanger apparatus and the surrounding building as well as platforms and catwalks extending outwardly therealong to the outermost end portion thereof. The provision of such clearance and lengthy platforms and catwalks necessitates a substantial increase in capital expenditure in erecting new power plant structures or in the expansion of capacity of existing facilities. Structural interferences sometimes also complicate the installation of conventional long retracting type soot blowers necessitating a modification in the structure thereof or a relocation of a soot blower to a less desirable cleaning position.

It is accordingly a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved soot blower assembly of the long retracting type which substantially decreases the outboard clearance requirements between a heat exchanger 3,111,701 Patented Nov. 26, 1963 apparatus and the walls of a surrounding building and reduces the size and complexity of the structure for supporting platforms and catwalks.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved soot blower assembly of the long retracting type which is operable on actuation to move in a nonlinear path of travel to and from a retracted position and a projected position.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved soot blower of the long retracting type which provides for substantially greater traversing movement through a heat exchanger apparatus during a cleaning function for a given outboard clearance than other long retracting type soot blowers heretofore known.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved long retracting type soot blower assembly which can be simply accommodated in heat exchanger installations wherein minimal outboard clearance is available, providing for increased versatility and flexibility of installation and operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved long retracting type soot blower which is positioned more closely to the exterior wall of a heat exchanger apparatus substantially reducing the size and complexity of platforms and catwalks necessary for attaining access to the operative components of the soot blower as may be required for periodic service and inspection.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved long retracting type soot blower employing a rotatable substantially straight lance tube which eliminates relative reciprocatory movement between the lance tube and a supply tube thereby improving the sealing characteristics therebetween and achieving substantially improved durability and life of the seal.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved soot blower assembly of the long re tracting type which is adapted for automatic actuation in a preselected sequentially phased operating sequence and is operative to commence and stop the discharge of blowing medium from the nozzles in the lance tube in response to movement of the lance tube into and out of the heat exchanger.

Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved soot blower assembly of the long retracting type which is of simple design, durable operation, of simple control and of economical manufacture and installation.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present invention are accomplished by providing an arcuate track or rail positioned exteriorly of a wall of a heat exchanger apparatus including a carriage movably mounted thereon having a lance tube projecting therefrom through a cleaning port in the wall of a heat exchanger apparatus and rotatably and slidably movable therethrough in response to movement of the carriage along the track. The carriage is provided with a suitable power means thereon for advancing the carriage relative to the track and for simultaneously rotating the lance tube. A conduit for supplying pressurized cleaning fluid to the lance tube is connected to the carriage and the cleaning fluid is selectively discharged through the nozzles in response to actuation of a valve when the lance tube attains a preselected position within the heat exchanger apparatus during its projecting travel.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary diagrammatic plan view of the long retracting type soot blower assembly comprising the present invention illustrating the non-linear travel 3 of the lance tube during the projecting and retracting movement thereof;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view partly in section of the long retracting type soot blower assembly disposed between the exterior Wall of a power boiler and the wall of an enclosing building;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation view partly in section illustrating the driving mechanism of the carriage and the pivotable telescoping arrangement of the supply tube connected to the rear end thereof;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view partly in section of a Wall box and pivotable slide mounting for slidably receiving the forward end of the lance tube which is shown in the fully retracted position, and

FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view through the wall box and pivotable mounting shown in FIG. 4 and taken along the line 5-5 thereof.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, and as may be best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, a long retracting type soot blower assembly constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention is illustrated in the installed position disposed between a wall it of a power boiler generally indicated at 12 and a building wall 14 enclosing the power boiler 12. The power boiler 12 incorporates a plurality of boiler tubes 16 which extend through the boiler passes against which the hot combustion gases come in contact. The exterior surfaces of the boiler tubes 16 are susceptible to the deposition of slag and other deposits thereon and accordingly, the tube 16 must be periodically cleaned order to maintain appropriate thermal efficiency of the power boiler.

The long retracting type soot blower assembly comprises an arcuate rail or track 18 which in the specific embodiment shown is of an l-shaped cross section and is suspended from the upper surface thereof by suitable frame members 26 connected to a beam 22 extending between the boiler Wall 19 and building wall lid as is best seen in FIG. 2. The track 18 in the specific arrangement shown in FIG. 1 comprises an arcuate section extending from a point contiguous to the boiler wall 16 to a point spaced therefrom and a straight section which extend substantially parallel to and laterally of the building wall 14 and is positioned outwardly from the boiler wall It) a distance of approximately one-half the total length of a lance tube 24. The specific arcuate curvature or combination straight and arcuate curvature of the track 18 as well as the lateral distance thereof outwardly from the boiler wall can be varied consistent with the specific installation in order to achieve optimum clearance and travel of the lance tube and an optimum blowing pattern of the cleaning fluid consistent with the specific arrangement of the heat exchanger surfaces to be cleaned.

The lance tube 24 is supported at its outward end by a carriage 26 which is movably mounted on the track 18 and at its forward end by a roller bracket assembly 27 pivotally mounted at the forward end of the track 125. The forward end of the lance tube 24 projects through a ball seal mounting generally indicated at 28 disposed in a port or wall box 30 in the boiler wall It When steam, for example, is employed as the pressurized blowing medium, a telescopic supply tube generally indicated at 32 is employed having one end thereof pivotally connected to a steam header 34 and the other end thereof pivotally connected to a poppet type valve 36 on the carriage 26 which is disposed in communication with the outer end of the lance tube 24. The point of connection of the telescopic supply tube to the steam header 34 is preferably located at approximately the center of arcuate curvature of the track 18 so that only relatively small telescopic movements are incurred between an outer tube 38 and an inner tube 49 comprising the telescopic supply tube 32 during movement of the carriage 26 and the lance tube 24 from a fully retracted position as shown in solid lines in FIGURE 1 to a fully projected position.

The relative movement and angular relationship between the telescopic supply tube 32, the lance tube 24, and the carriage 26 during movement of the carriage 26 along the track 18 to and from a fully retracted position and a fully projected position are illustrated in FIG- URE 1. Commencing with the carriage 26 in the fully retracted position wherein the forward end of the lance tube 24 is retracted within the wall box 30 as shown in solid lines in FTGURE 1, the carriage moves forwardly during a blowing cycle wherein the telescopic supply tube 32 and the lance tube 24 progressively assume the intermediate positions shown in phantom until the fully projected position is attained wherein the carriage 26 is disposed adjacent to the wall box 34 and the lance tube 24 is in the fully projected position.

During the initial phase of the projecting movement, the forward end of the lance tube 24 moves through an arcuate path out from the wall box and into the interior of the boiler as indicated by the line 39 and thereafter moves in a substantially straight line across the interior of the boiler. The particular path of travel of the forward end of the lance tube 2 can be modified as desired by varying the relative lengths of the arcuate and straight sections of the track 18 and the radius of curvature of the arcuate section so that only an arcuate as well as combinations of arcuate and straight line travel paths can be obtained to provide optimum cleaning of the heat exchanger surfaces. Discharse of the pressurized blowing medium from suitable nozzles 41 in the forward end of the lance tube 24 as best seen in FIGURE 4 is controlled to occur at a predetermined point spaced from the inner surface of the boiler Wall it? to prevent direct impingement of the high pressure blast against the refractory lining of the boiler wall 1% preventing erosion or other damage thereto. The cumulative fan-shaped blowing pattern is indicated in FIGURE 1 by the cross-hatched area generally indicated at 42. Accordingly, the traversing sweep of the pressurized blowing medium in the area 42 effects a cleaning and deslagging of the heat exchanger surfaces of the boiler tubes located in this area. After the lance tube 24 attains the fully projected position, the carriage 26 is again moved to the retracted position wherein the forward end of the lance tube is retracted along the same path of entry and the blowing medium is shut off when a preselected position is attained to avoid damage to the interior boiler wall it as hereinabove set forth. When the lance tube has again attained the fully retracted position, the forward end thereof is positioned within the wall box 39 wherein it is protected and shielded from the hot combustion gases and in which position it is retained until the initiation of the next blowing cycle.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that one or multiples of the long retracting type soot blower assemblies as shown in FIGURE 1 can be employed at suitably spaced intervals to provide substantially complete cleaning coverage of the heat exchanger surfaces of the boiler 12. The soot blower assemblies can also be employed in combination with suitable wall-type or short retracting blowers to clean the water wall tubes and heat exchanger surfaces which are not subjected to the pressurized blowing medium discharged from the long retracting type soot blower assemblies. In either case, however, only about half or less the outboard clearance between the boiler wall Ill and the building wall 14 is required for a given inward projecting travel of the lance tube 24 in comparison to long retracting type soot blowers heretofore known.

A detailed construction of the carriage 26 and the drive mechanism contained therein is illustrated in FIG- URE 3. As shown in the drawings, the carriage 26 comprises an upper section or casing 44 incorporating a pair of upstanding legs 46 securely affixed to each end thereof. A pair of rollers 48 are rotatably secured to the upper end portion of each leg 46 and are adapted to be disposed in overlying bearing contact against the opposite surfaces of the lower Web of the track 18. The upper casing 44 contains a suitable reversible motor 50 which may be of a fluid driven type such as air, for example, or an electrical motor as specifically shown in the drawings. An output shaft 52 of the motor 50 is provided with a suitable worm 54 which is disposed in meshing relationship with a worm wheel 56 disposed in rotatable engagement with a pinion gear 58 which has the upper periphery thereof disposed in constant meshing relationship with a rack 60 aflixed to the underside of the track 18 and extending longitudinally thereof for substantially the entire length of the track. Accordingly, energization of the motor 50 is operative to cause the carriage 26 to move in one direction or in the other direction, depending on direction of rotation thereof.

The reversible electric motor 50 is also operative through a suitable drive arrangement for rotating the lance tube 24 during movement of the carriage to and from the retracted position and the advanced position. As shown in FIGURE 3, the rearward end portion of the lance tube 24 is rota-tably mounted within a lower section or casing 62 of the carriage 26' which is pivotally mounted to the upper casing 44 by means of a flanged tubular sleeve 64. The upper and lower flanges of the flanged tubular sleeve 64 are rotatably retained within suitable bearing caps 66 positioned in overlying relationship and secured to the upper casing 44 and the lower casing 62, respectively. The lance tube 24 is rotatably secured within the lower casing 62 by means of a pair of anti-friction bearings 68. The rearward end of the lance tube 24- is islidably disposed within a stationary flanged overlying sleeve 70 which is provided with suitable packing 71 for forming a seal therebetween and preventing escape or leakage of the pressurized blowing medium therefrom. The packing 71 is only subjected to a relative rotational movement between the lance tube 24 and the sleeve 7t and accordingly, maintains a pressure tight seal for substantially longer operating periods in comparison to seals employed in telescopictype long retracting soot blowers which are subjected to both relative rotational and translatory movements. This 'mproved sealing arrangement constitutes still another advantage of the soot blower comprising the present invention.

Rotation of the lance tube 24 is accomplished by a bevel gear '72 aflixed to the output shaft 52 of the motor 50 which is disposed in meshing relationship with a bevel gear 74 afflxed to one end of a stub shaft 76 extending through and rotatably journaled in the flanged tubular sleeve 64. The lower end of the stub staft '76 is provided with a bevel gear 78 which in turn is disposed in constant meshing relationship with a bevel gear 80 aflixed to the lance tube 24. In accordance with this arrangement, as the motor 50 is rotated in one direction causing the carriage 26 to be moved along the track 18, the lance tube is also rotated in one direction and upon reversal of the direction of rotation of the motor 50, the direction of movement of the carriage and the direction of rotation of the lance tube 24 is reversed.

Energization of the reversible electric motor 50 as specifically shown in FIGURE 3, is accomplished by three bus bars 82 mounted on suitable insulators 33 affixed to the vertical web of the track 18 and extending longitudinally along one side thereof. A suitable brush contactor 84 mounted on one of the forward legs 46 of the carriage is disposed in sliding electrical contact with the bus bars 82 for supplying electrical energy through a conductor 86 to the motor during movement of the carriage to and from the projected position and the retracted position. A control box 88 is aflixed to the outer end of the track 18 and is electrically connected to the bus bars 82. Energization thereof either in accordance with an automatic sequentially phased control system or manually, as the case may be, is operative to energize the motor 50 effecting initiation of the cleaning cycle.

In lieu of a reversible electric motor 50, as shown in FIGURE 3, a suitable fluid driven motor can also be employed as hereinbefore mentioned to which a pressurized driving fluid can be supplied through a suitable flexible conduit 90 mounted on and extending along the telescopic supply tube 38 as shown in FIGURE 2. A suitable expansion loop indicated at 91 is preferably provided in the flexible conduit 90 to allow for the slight telescopic movement between the outer tube 38 and inner tube 40 of the telescopic supply tube 32 as the carriage moves along the track 18. Energization of the fluid motor can be appropriately achieved by a suitable remotely actuable valve 92 enabling pressurized fluid to pass from a supply line 94 through the flexible conduit 90 for actuating the fluid motor. A reversal in the direction of rotation of the fluid motor can simply be achieved by a mechanically actuable porting arrangement incorporated in the fluid motor which is mechanically actuated when the carriage attains the fully projected position or by suitable limit switches effective to actuate a solenoid valve. It is also contemplated within the scope of the present invention, that in lieu of employing electrical bus bars 82 for supplying electrical energy to the reversible electric motor 54 as shown in FIGURE 3, a suitable flexible electrical conduit disposed in a manner similar to the flexible conduit 99 along the telescopic supply tube 32 can also be satisfactorily employed.

The pressurized cleaning medium such as steam, for example, is supplied from the steam header 34 through the telescopic supply tube 32 to the poppet valve 36 connected by a mounting flange to the stationary sleeve 70. To provide for the relative pivoting movement of the telescopic supply pipe 32 relative to the poppet valve 35 and the steam header '34, the outer tube 38 and the inner tube 4t are connected by swivel joints 96 and 98, respectively, to the header and the poppet valve. Leakage of the pressurized cleaning medium between the sliding connection of the outer tube 38 and the inner tube 40 is prevented by suitable packing material 100 disposed therebetween and compressed by a suitable gland nut 102, as best shown in FIGURE 3.

Actuation of the poppet valve 36 to introduce pressurized cleaning fluid into the rear end of the lance tube 24 can be accomplished remotely and preferably mechanically in accordance with the linkage arrangement shown in FIGURE 3 in response to movement of the carriage 26 along the track 18. As shown in FIGURE 3, the valve 36 is provided with an actuating lever 104 pivotally connected to the upper end thereof which is connected by means of a link rod 106 to an actuating cam 108 pivotally connected to the upper end of one of the legs 46. The actuating cam, the link rod 106, and the actuating lever 1%- are shown in solid lines in FIG- URE 3 is the actuated position wherein the poppet valve 35 is open allowing pressurized cleaning fluid to enter the lance tube 24. A tripping of the actuating earn 108 to the posit-ion shown in FIGURE 3, is accomplished by an actuator pin I10 projecting from the vertical web of the track 18 in tripping alignment with the upper portion of the actuating cam 108. As the carriage 26 moves from a fully retracted position as fragmentarily indicated in phantom to a position as shown in FIGURE 3 in solid lines, the actuator pin 1110 strikes the actuating cam 108 rotating it clockwise as viewed in the drawing from the unactuated position shown in phantom to the actuated position as shown in solid lines. When the carriage 26 again returns to a position wherein the actuating cam 108 strikes the actuator pin 110, the cam 108 is rotated counterclockwise as viewed in FIGURE 3 from a position shown in solid lines to the position shown in phantom whereby the poppet valve 36- is closed halting the flow of pressurized cleaning medium to the lance tube 24. The connection of the link rod 106 to the actuating cam 11% provides an over-center action whereby the earn 198 is retained in the position to which it is moved by the actuator pin 110 by virtue of a spring 2112 biasing the actuating lever 104 on the poppet valve in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 3.

The front end portion of the lance tube 24 is movably and rotatably supported in the roller bracket assembly 27 which is afiixed to and depends from the inner end portion of the track 18. The roller bracket assembly 27 as best seen in FIGURES 2 and 3, comprises a hinge bracket 101 secured to the forward end portion of the track 18 in which an inverted L-s'haped member 103 is pivotally secured and depends therefrom. The lower end portion of the inverted L-shaped member 103 is provided with an aperture 105 through which the lance tube projects. The base of the aperture in the L-shaped member is provided with a pair of rollers 107 on which the periphery of the lance tube is supported facilitating longitudinal and rotational movement relative thereto during the advancing and retracting movement of the lance tube. In the preferred constructions shown in the drawings, the pivoting axis of the hinge bracket .101 and inverted L- shaped member 103 is positioned so as to correspond substantially to the pivoting axis of the pivotable mounting 28 whereby the aperture 105 and the rollers 107 of the roller bracket assembly swing in an are as occasioned by the relative angular movement of the lance tube between the terminal and intermediate positions as indicated in FIGURE 1 to compensate for the angular deflection of the lance tube relative to the wall box.

Alternate satisfactory supporting assemblies may also be employed for supporting the weight of the forward end portion of the lance tube during its projecting and retracting movements as well as when it is in the fully projected and fully retracted positions. An elongated roller, for example, can be employed for movably and rotatably supporting the lance tube which extends transversely of the forward end of the track and enables lateral angular shifting movement of the lance tube. Alternatively, the lateral angular shifting movement of the lance tube can be satisfactorily compensated for by constructing the pivotable mounting 28 so as to shift laterally within the wall box 30 avoiding the imposition of any bending forces on the lance tube frictional interference during its projecting and retracting movement.

The lance tube is pivotally sealed within the wall box 30 by means of the pivotable mounting 28 so as to prevent escape of the hot combustion gases from the interior of the boiler. As shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, the pivotable mounting 28 comprises a spherical body 114 having a cylindrical bore 115 therethrough in which the lance tube 24 is slidably disposed. The spherical body 114 is rotatably and pivotally mounted within a hollow casing 116 of the wall box 30' by means of a pair of circular tapered edges 118, 120 which are appropriately contoured so as to provide a guiding surface against which the periphery of the spherical body 114 is movably seated. The casing 116 is of a hollow construction and is pressurized with sealing air which is supplied through a suitable supply conduit 128 connected thereto. The pressurized sealing air from the interior of the casing 116 is adapted to escape between the periphery of the spherical body 114 and the circular edges 118, 120' of the casing forming a pressurized air seal therebetween. A portion of the sealing air from the interior of the casing 116 passes through a series of radial ports 124 extending through the spherical body having the inner ends thereof disposed in communication with an annular manifold or groove 130 around the surface of the bore 115 from which the air escapes between the periphery of the lance tube and the inner surface of the bore 115 effecting an air seal there-between.

In operation, in accordance with a manual or automatic sequential control system, the control box 88 is energized whereby the bus bars 82 are electrified energizing the reversible electric motor 50. High pressure steam or other suitable blowing medium is supplied from the steam header 34 to the inlet side of the poppet valve 36 of the soot blower. On energization of the electric motor 50, the carriage 26 commences its movement from a fully retracted position releasing a rear position limit switch LS1 mounted on the outer end of the track .18 (FIGURE 3) toward a fully projected position and the lance tube 24 simultaneously commences to rotate. When the carriage attains a position spaced from the fully retracted position, the actuator pin 110 engages the actuating cam 108 whereby the actuating lever 104 is moved to the open position by the link road 106 allowing high pressure steam to enter the lance tube 24 and to be discharged from the nozzles 41 in the forward end of the lance tube. The carriage 26 continutes until the fully projected position is attained whereupon forward control limit switch LS2 (FIGURE 1) is actuated signalling the control circuit which reverses the polarity of the electrical current in the bus bars 82 and effects a reversal in the direction of rotation of the motor 50 whereupon the carriage commences its retracting movement. When the carriage again attains a position spaced from the fully retracted position, the actuator pin 110 strikes the actuating cam 108 causing the actuating lever 104 to close the poppet valve 36 stopping the discharge of blowing medium from the nozzles of the lance tube. The carriage continues to move toward the fully retracted position until the rear control limit switch LS1 is actuated by the rearward leg 46 of the carriage signalling the control circuit that the cleaning cycle has been completed which in turn deenergizes the bus bars 82.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments of the invention disclosed are well calcuated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

-1. A soot blower assembly for cleaning the heat exchanger surfaces of a heat exchanger apparatus comprising an arcuate rail positioned exteriorly of a heat exchanger apparatus and extending from a position contiguous. thereto to a point laterally spaced outwardiy therefrom, a carriage movably mounted on said rail and movable therealong, a lance tube having one end thereof rotatably supported on said carriage and the other end thereof adapted to be disposed in a port of a heat exchanger apparatus, power means for moving said carriage along said arcuate rail and for rotating said lance tube, and supply means for supplying a pressurized cleaning fluid to said lance tube.

2. A soot blower assembly for cleaning the heat exchanger surfaces of a heat exchanger apparatus comprising an arcuate rail positioned exten'orly of a heat exchanger apparatus and extending from a position contiguous thereto to a point laterally spaced therefrom, a carriage movably mounted on said rail and movable therealong, a lance tube having one end thereof rotatably and pivotably supported on said carriage and the other end thereof adapted to be disposed in a port of a heat exchanger apparatus, power means for moving said carriage along said arcuate rail and for rotating said lance tube, supply means for supplying a pressurized cleaning fluid to said lance tube, and valve means disposed in said supply means and actuable in response to movement of said carriage along said rail for selectively starting and stopping the supply of pressurized cleaning fluid to said lance tube.

3. A soot blower assembly for cleaning the heat exchanger surfaces of a heat exchanger apparatus comprising an arcuate rail positioned exteriorly of a heat exchanger apparatus and extending from a position contiguous thereto to a point laterally spaced outwardly therefrom, a carriage movably mounted on said rail and movable therealong, a lance tube having one end thereof rotatably and "pivotally supported on said carriage and the other end thereof adapted to be disposed in a port of a head exchanger apparatus, power means for moving said carriage along said arcuate rail and for rotating said lance tube, a telescopic supply tube pivotally connected to said carriage for supplying a pressurized cleaning fluid to said lance tube, and valve means in said supply tube actuable in response to movement of said carriage along said rail for starting and stopping the discharge of cleaning fluid into said lance tube.

4. A soot blower assembly for cleaning the heat exchanger surfaces of a heat exchanger apparatus comprising an arcuate rail positioned exteriorly of a heat exchanger apparatus and extending from a position contiguous thereto to a point laterally spaced outwardly therefrom, a carriage movably mounted on said rail and movable therealong, a lance tube having one end thereof rotatably and pivotably supported on said carriage and the other end thereof adapted to be disposed in a port of a heat exchanger apparatus, reversible power means for moving said carriage along said arcuate rail and for rotating said lance tube, a telescopic supply tube pivotally mounted at approximately the center of arcuate curvature of said arcuate rail having the other end thereof pi votally connected to said carriage for supplying a pressurized cleaning fluid to said lance tube, and valve means in said supply tube actuable in response to movement of said carriage along said rail for starting and stopping the discharge of cleaning fluid into said lance tube.

5. A soot blower assembly for cleaning the heat exchanger surfaces of a heat exchanger apparatus comprising an arcuate rail positioned exteriorly of a heat exchanger apparatus and extending from a position contiguous thereto to a point laterally spaced outwardly therefrom, a carriage movably mounted on said rail and movable therealong, a lance tube having one end thereof rotatably and pivotably supported on said carriage and the other end thereof adapted to be disposed in a port of a heat exchanger apparatus, reversible motor means on said carriage, first means drivingly connected to said motor means for moving said carriage along said rail and said lance tube thereon to and from a retracted position and a projected position, second means drivingly connected to said motor means for rotating said lance tube during movement of said carriage, and supply means for supplying a pressurized cleaning fluid to said lance tube.

6. A soot blower assembly for cleaning the heat exchanger surfaces of a heat exchanger apparatus comprising an arcuate rail positioned exteriorly of a heat exchanger apparatus and extending from a position contiguous thereto to a point laterally spaced outwardly therefrom, a carriage movably mounted on said rail and movable therealong, a lance tube having one end thereof rotatably and pivotably supported on said carriage and the other end thereof adapted to be disposed in a port of lb a heat exchanger apparatus, a reversible motor on said carriage, first gear means on said carriage drivingly connected to said motor and disposed in coacting relationship with means on said rail for driving said carriage along said rail and said lance tube thereon to and from a retracted position and a projected position, second gear means drivingly connected to said motor and to said lance tube for rotating said lance tube during movement of said carriage, and supply means for supplying a pressurized cleaning fluid to said lance tube.

7. -A soot blower assembly for cleaning the heat exchanger surfaces of a heat exchanger apparatus comprising an arcuate rail positioned exteriorly of a heat exchanger apparatus and extending from a position contiguous thereto to a point spaced outwardly therefrom, a carriage movably mounted on said rail and movable taerealong, a lance tube having one end thereof rotatably and pivotably supported on said carriage and the other end thereof adapted to be disposed in a port of a heat exchanger apparatus, a reversible motor on said carriage, a gear rack on said rail and extending for substantially the entire length thereof, first gear means drivingly connected to said motor and disposed in meshing relationship with said rack for moving said carriage along said rail and said lance tube thereon to and from a retracted position and a pnoiected position, second gear means drivingly connected to said motor and coacting with gear means on said lance tube for rotating said lance tube during movement of said carriage, actuating means positioned at the forward and rearward end portions of said rail and actuable in response to movement of said carriage for controlling the projecting and retracting movement thereof, and supply means for supplying a pressurized cleaning fluid to said lance tube.

8. A soot blower assembly for cleaning the heat exchanger surfaces of a heat exchanger apparatus comprising an arcuate rail positioned exteriorly of a heat exchanger apparatus and extending from a position contiguous thereto to a point laterally spaced outwardly therefrom, a carriage movably mounted on said rail and movable therealong, a lance tube having one end thereof rotatably supported on said carriage and the other end thereof slidably and rotatably supported in a supporting bracket positioned contiguous to a port of a heat exchanger apparatus in which said lance tube projects, means for sealing said port and said lance tube projecting therethrough to prevent escape of the combustion gases from the interior of said heat exchanger apparatus, power means for moving said carriage along said arcuate rail and for rotating said lance tube, and supply means for supplying a pressurized cleaning fluid to said lance tube.

No references cited. 

1. A SOOT BLOWER ASSEMBLY FOR CLEANING THE HEAT EXCHANGER SURFACES OF A HEAT EXCHANGER APPARATUS COMPRISING AN ARCUATE RAIL POSITIONED EXTERIORLY OF A HEAT EXCHANGER APPARATUS AND EXTENDING FROM A POSITION CONTIGUOUS THERETO TO A POINT LATERALLY SPACED OUTWARDLY THEREFROM, A CARRIAGE MOVABLY MOUNTED ON SAID RAIL AND MOVABLE THEREALONG, A LANCE TUBE HAVING ONE END THEREOF ROTATABLY SUPPORTED ON SAID CARRIAGE AND THE OTHER END THEREOF ADAPTED TO BE DISPOSED IN A PORT OF A HEAT EXCHANGER APPARATUS, POWER MEANS FOR MOVING SAID CARRIAGE ALONG SAID ARCUATE RAIL AND FOR ROTATING SAID LANCE TUBE, AND SUPPLY MEANS FOR SUPPLYING A PRESSURIZED CLEANING FLUID TO SAID LANCE TUBE. 